This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia regarding Medicaid dental care, specifically focusing on increasing reimbursement rates for dental providers. It includes new legislative findings that highlight the establishment of an expanded adult dental benefit in 2021, the challenges faced by providers due to current reimbursement rates, and the impact of inflation on dental service costs. The bill defines key terms related to dental services and mandates that the Department of Human Services extend Medicaid coverage for diagnostic, preventative, and restorative dental services to adults aged 21 and over, with a coverage limit of $2,000 per two-year budget period.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Human Services in implementing a dental care system that includes oversight and quality assurance measures. It requires the Bureau for Medical Services to file a report analyzing Medicaid dental expenditures annually and mandates a minimum 20 percent increase in dental-related fees by December 1, 2028. The bill emphasizes the importance of improving access to dental care for Medicaid recipients and ensuring that providers are adequately compensated for their services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-5-12a